Airlines face fresh CCI probe for suspected cartelisation

New Delhi: Airlines face a fresh probe for suspected cartelisation and for the alleged arbitrary hike in airfares, with the fair trade regulator CCI on Thursday saying it needs to get to the bottom of the issue.

As a group of MPs, led by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, lodged a fresh complaint with the Competition Commission of India (CCI) against the air carriers, CCI Chairman Ashok Chawla said that the regulator needs to get to the bottom of the issue to ascertain whether there was a cartel at play.

Chawla said that the CCI has looked into the matter in the past also, but it could not take any action as there was no evidence, although there was no doubt that the market was getting concentrated among a few players.

Somaiya, who also submitted a complaint against mobile companies alleging that they were indulging in unfair trade practices on issues like net neutrality, said he discussed both the issues in detail with the CCI.

"On both the issues, the Competition Commission Chairman has assured me that they will go through (the matter) and take necessary action, if required," Somaiya told reporters after his meeting with Chawla.